Editor's Note: Fortunately for us, my office got considered 'mission essential' at the last minute, so I get a one week's reprieve from any government shutdown. My thoughts go out to my Federal service brethren who toil in DC and might get financially abused by our irresponsible Congress. This light-hearted post is for you...
We awoke to a 37-degree’ish morning. As planned, a cold breakfast and then out of the comforting green of Indian Springs campground, and into the immense greens of central Yellowstone! That should be the blog’s title but it’s too long, right? So hey, hey, my my – get into your seat and tool along as we drive down captivating Virginia Cascades drive with its small canyon view of the world, along with neat smaller falls and tall facing cliffsides.
There are sights, and other sights, and then the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Immensity beyond this writer’s expertise. Odd to say that with Misty’s unknowing encouragement, I broke a 15-year freaked-out impasse and walked down the 328-step metal stairway to heaven, a platform not far from the lower falls that plunge a splashifying 308 feet into the riverbed. A quiet interlude after a canyon rim-side hike that sucks out your courage and keeps you humble. I made it back up to the rim without a heart attack, and savored every return step as we surveyed the layers of that canyon.
Why stop at 3 PM?! Zoom-zoom southward toward Yellowstone Lake. Go figure, God again pointed out the difference between men and women: shoes. Just why do women of any age have to pull off shoes to wade in the chilly waters of a lake at 8,000 ft elevation?! Madness, but the giggling girls and flying ‘seaweed’ made me realize I might be missing something. Nawh, it wasn’t the Overlook of the lake, but the subsequent pay shower - $3.65 well spent.
You’re getting bored now, so let’s not dwell on the animals carousing along Hayden Valley. Along with the interesting bison, we saw many elk in the distance taking advantage of the late summer. No grizzly but my polite traveling partners said No Worries. Good, since rain again fell on our way ‘back home’ and we stood around for an hour waiting to cook dinner.
Dinner: Tri-tip steaks right above the firewood. Easy and tasty. Get out in the Back 40 and try it!
Smithsonian Article du Jour:
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